New boss Laudrup to assess Swansea squad

Michael Laudrup will waste no time in getting to know just what his Swansea squad are capable of after taking over at Liberty Stadium on a two-year deal.

The former Denmark international was named as successor to Brendan Rodgers, who joined Liverpool earlier this month.

Laudrup will do plenty of research on the job in front of him as he prepares to tackle the English top flight.

"It is going to be a new experience for me and I am really looking forward to it," he said.

"I have spoken to many people about Swansea and watched a number of their games on DVD - with many more to watch. Everyone knows the style of football Swansea play and it suits my way of thinking."

Laudrup won five Spanish league titles with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the early 1990s and the creative midfielder was one of the players of his generation.

However, the 47-year-old had spells in charge of Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Real Mallorca which failed to deliver any prolonged success.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins played his cards close to his chest in the search for a new boss at the Liberty Stadium.

A number of names were linked with the vacancy - including Gus Poyet, Marcel Desailly, Dennis Bergkamp and Wigan assistant manager Graeme Jones.

Jenkins is confident the Dane can have a major impact on the Barclays Premier League.

"There is no doubt about his standing as one of the game's greatest footballers, but we also see the qualities he has as a manager," the Swansea chairman said. "We see Michael as someone who is fully committed and educated in all aspects of the way we want to take the club forward.

"Our overall aim is to build on our first season in the Premier League, but we also fully understand the need to adapt our approach as we go along to remain competitive season after season.

"Part of that process is to look at new ideas and increase our knowledge on all aspects of the game to keep advancing.

"Everyone I've spoken to about Michael during the appointment process can't speak highly enough about him, not just as a football man, but as a person.

"I am confident that Michael will prove a fantastic acquisition that will help keep this football club moving forward."

Manchester City were the last English champions to be relegated the very next season, going down in 1938 despite finishing the season as top scorers. The Foxes, just a few months after sensationally lifting the Premier League trophy, are now just two points above the relegation zone. It couldn’t really happen, could it? Perhaps the ghost of relegated champions past will make Leicester change their ways. Maybe they’ll give Bob Cratchit Christmas Day off after all. More »